Film framer for motion-picture projectors



H, W30. A$AP1ER 1,780,945

I FILM FRAMER FOR MOTION PICTURE PROJECTORS Filed June 13, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Nc-v. 11, 1930. A. 'SAPIER' FILM FRAMER FOR MOTIONPICTURE PROJECTORS Filed June 13, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Pa tente d Nov.11,1930

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ABBAHAMSAPIER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,ASSIGIFOB T UNIVERSAL STAMPING &

MIG. 00., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS mm mma FORnorms-norm rnosnc'rons Application filed June 7 18,

The main objects of this invention are to v provide a motion pictureprojecting machine having an improved framer for framing the film; toprovide a film framer having improved tensioning means for tensioningthat portion of the film traversing the path of light; to provideimproved means for adjustably supporting the framer and tension 1ngmeans; and. to provide improved means for shifting the framer andtensioning means transversely of the path of light.

'An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section of the front part of a motionpicture'projecting giadchine to which an improved framer is a p e Fi 2is a horizontal section, taken on the hne 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showing thefilmv framer in operative position.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1and-showing the film framer and its support'in a retracted posi- 2piilplrli to permit insertion: and removal of the I Fig. 4 is a verticalsection, taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1.. Fig. 5 isa vertical section,taken on the line 5-5 of Fig.1. 1

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 1, but showingthe film framer in an elevated position for raising-the picture in thelight field on the screen.

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the film guide late. p The improved framingdevice to which this invention is applied may be used in connection withmotion picture projectin machines of the type disclosed in my co-pening'applications Serial No. 369,126, filed June" 1929, and Serial No.374,630, filed June 29, 1929.

Inasmuch as this invention relates particularly to the means forframingthe film, the accompanying drawings show only as much of the entireprojector as will be of assistance in apprehending the invention.

Motion picture projecting machines gen? erally include an upright casinghaving a 9 rear compartment for housing the usual light I in acompartment behind the interceptor, as

1929. Serial at. 870,522.

bulb and a forward compartment in which is mounted a rotatable lightinterceptor ar-' .ranged directly behind a light aperture in the filmguideway. The film is fed rapidly through the guideway by suitablefeeding 5 means for momentarily positioning each pic-' ture directly infront of the light aperture. The projector casing is generallyadjustable relative to its base so as to permit the light field to beaccurately positioned on the receiving screen,

In addition to accurately-positioning the light field on the receivingscreen, it is necessary to project each picture onto the screen withinthe border :of the light field. For this reason, most projectingmachines are equipped with a framing device for properly framing thefilm.

- In the form shown, the improved framing device is adjustably supportedon the casing directly in front of the light aperture of the stencilguideway and it is shiftable horizontally and vertically.

In the constructionillustrated, the casing of the machine, which is onlypartly shown, includes a compartment 1 having a front wall 2 providedwith a central aperture 3 and a side wall 4, which extends forwardlybeyond the light aperture for supporting an axiallyadjustable lensmounting 5.

The compartment 1 houses the light interceptor, not shown, whichinterrupts the rays of light which are projected forwardly through theaperture 3 from a lamp located illustrated in said co-pendingapplication Serial No. 369,126. I

Formed in the front wall 2,'below the light aperture, is an o ening 6for accommodating a feeding claw projecting forwardly for engagementwith a film 8 to feed the film downwardly in front of the lightaperture. The film 8 is supported by the usual reels, not shown.

Formed in the front wall 2, is a vertically disposed recess 9 inwhich isseated a film guide 10 havin a pair of flanges 11 secured to the front wby screws 12 or other suitable fastening means. Formed in the guide 10,is a light aperture 13 which registers with 100 the aperture 3. Locatedbelow the aperture 13 is a pair of slots 14 registering with the opening6 for accommodating the two prongs of the feeding claw 7. Struckout fromone 6 of the flanges 11, is a pair of lugs 15 forming stops for guidingthe film into proper position'when it is inserted into the guideway.

In the construction illustrated, the lens mounting 5 comprises acylindrical shell having a pair of flanges 16, which are slidable in apair of horizontal rails 17 secured to the wall 4 J Rotatably mounted inthe shell 5 is a terrule 18 which supports the lens, not shown, andwhich is provided with an external thread 19, engaging a yie'ldinshoulder 20 extending inwardly through t e top wall of the shell 5.v The.shoulder 20 is mounted ona spring 21 secured at one end to the shell 5by a screw 22, so as tdpermitthe shoulder 20 tobe retracted whenthe lensis roughly adjusted by an axial movement of the ferrule 18. A fineadjustment of the lens is obtained by rotating this invention has beenherem shown and the ferrule. f

Formed in one side of the mounting 5, is a vertical recess 23 forreceiving a pin 24 mounted on one end of a'bell crank lever 25 which ispivotally secured to the casing wall 4 for axially shifting the mounting5 to perao mit insertion and removal of the film.

Formed on the inner end of the lens mounting 5, is a vertical flange 26,which supports the v improved film framing device to which thisinvention is applied.

85 In the form shown, the improved framing device comprises a shoe 27supported on a plate 28 ,which is slidably secured to the flange 26 byguide rails 29. The shoe 27 has a framing aperture 30 which is adaptedto be shifted g0 vertically relative to the-aperture 3 by the Y verticalmovement of the plate 28. The edges of the shoe 27 are-rounded so as notto inju Formed in the outer face of the shoe 27 is I 5 a recess 31 toprevent the shoe from contacting with the body of the film. Located onopposite sides of the recess 31, are bearing surfaces 32 adapted to'frictionally engage the 'perforated margins of the film for tensioningthe film while it travels across the light aperture.

Rigidly secured to the shoe 27, is a pair of studs 33 extending throughthe supporting plate 28, and provided with removable heads- 34 locatedinopenings 35 formed in the flange. 55, 26. Embracing the studs 33, aresprings 36,

WhlCll yieldingly urge the shoe 27 into frictional contact with thefilm.

. In the form shown, the guide rails 29 are secured to the flange 26 byscrews 37, which ress the central portions of the rails into ictionalcontact with the plate 28. The ends of the rails 29 are doubled inwardlyupon themselves, as shown at 38.

The plate 28 has a central opening 39 registering with the apertures 13and 30. Igormed outer end of the pin 42, is a handle 43, by which theeccentric may be rotated for sh1ft-' ing the framing unit vertically toadjust the aperture 30 relative to the aperture 13.

In operation, to insert a film, the handle 25 is raised so as to retractthe mounting 5 and the shoe 27. After the film has been inserted intothe guideway 10, the handle 25 is depressed for urging the shoe 27 intocontact with the film. The film is fed downward in the usual manner formomentarily positioning each picture between the apertures 13 and 30. Inthe event that the pictures are not properly framed in the light fieldon the screen, the shoe 27 is shifted vertically by means of the handle43 for adiusting the framing aperture 30 relative to the light aperture13. I

Although but one specific embodiment of described, it will belunderstoodthat numerbe altered or omitted without departing from v the/spirit ofthis invention as defined by the following claims.-

'I claim: .1. A picture projecting machine comprising a casing having avertical film guideway rovided with a light aperture, a-lens mountingadjustably supported on said casing in front of said aperture,'a filmframer supported on said lens mounting, a-pin rotatable on said lensmounting, a handle on one end of.

said pin, and an eccentric mounted on the other end of" said pin andengaging said framer for shifting said framer vertlcallyj relative tosaid aperture. I

' '2. 'A picture projecting machine comprising a casing havin a verticalfilm deway provided with a hght aperture, said casing having a side wallextending forwardly of stantially normal to the plane of said guidesaidguideway and disposed m a plane subway, tracks on said side wall, a lensmounting slidably supported on said tracks in front of said aperture, afilm r said lens mounting, said lens mounting being Trainer supportedon,

movable axially in a straight line movement toward and from saidguideway, for shifting said framer toward and from said aperture whilemaintaining said framer substantially.

parallel. to said guideway, and an-eccentric sup orted on said mountingand engaging said framer for shifting said iramer vertically relative tosaid aperture.

3. A picture pro ect1ng machine compris-.

ing a casing having a vertical film guideway provided with a lightaperture, a lens mount-' ing supported on said casing in front of saidaperture, a plate adjustab y supported on said mounting, a framingmember sup-r ported on said late, means 'eldably ur said member to wardsaid gu ideway for tional contact with the film, and means on said lensmounting coacting with said plate for shifting said framing membervertically.

4. A picture projecting machine comprising a casing having a verticalfilm guideway provided with a light aperture, a lens mounting' supportedon said casing in front of said aperture, a vertically adjustableplatesupported on said mounting, a film tensioning member mounted onsaid plate and having a framing'aperture, springs urging'said te sioningmember toward said guideway for frictional contact with the film, andmeanson said casing coacting with said plate for shifting saidtensioning member vertically. ,5. A motion picture projector comprisinga casing having a vertical film guideway provided with a light aperture,a lens mounting adjustably supported on said casing in front of saidaperture, a vertically adjustable plate supported on said mounting, apair of guide rails secured to said mounting and frictionally engagingsaid plate, a pair of studs supported on said plate, a film tensioningmember sup orted on said studs, springs em-' bracing sai studs andurging said member toward said guideway for frictional contact 0 withthe film, said tensioning member having a film framing aperture, and aneccentric sup- 7 ported on said lens mounting and engaging said platefor shifting said tensioning memberand framing aperture verticallyrelative to said light a rture. Signed at (llficago this 10th day ofJune,

- ABRAHAM SAPIER.

